Korea unveils first biotech medicine

Health authorities have approved a medicine that was developed through biotechnology, the first drug of its kind in Korea.

Cellontech, a bio venture company, said Wednesday that the Korea Food and Drug Administration authorized sales of "Chondron," a medicine to repair damaged cartilage cells, on condition that the firm submit a report on the results of clinical testing related to safety and effectiveness.

Chondron was developed in Cellontech`s specially designed laboratory. Scientists said the drug restores malfunctioning cells in the cartilage and causes no immunity rejection response.

The medicine is only the second of its kind in the world after Carticell of the Genzyme Tissue Repair (GTR) in the United States.

Song Sang-Keun songmoon@donga.com